Pair face charges of theft

A man and woman were arrested on preliminary charges of theft after police investigated a tip that an item was being falsely advertised for sale online.

Nathaniel W. Clement, 35, Columbus and Cori L. Fortner, 30, North Vernon, both were arrested on a charge of theft as a Level 6 felony.

North Vernon Police Department began the investigation about 1:17 p.m. Sunday when Officer Matt Staples received a report about a generator listed for sale online, but that the owner had never posted it for sale. The tip came from an employee of the victim.

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Staples verified ownership of the generator and confirmed that the owner had never posted it for sale. The generator was valued at $2,000 and was listed for sale online for $300.

Staples worked with the employee, who discovered the item acting as an interested buyer. Once the employee was able to arrange a meeting with the online contact, Staples took two suspects into custody following interviews and an investigation at the scene of the controlled meeting. This is an ongoing investigation.